Family Gets Gift Of Help For Boy

NEWPORT NEWS — Kha'liel Crews' eyes grew wider Wednesday as he walked into the auditorium of Riverside Elementary School. The white mask he wore - a constant reminder of his disease - concealed his smile.

On tables sat gifts for him and his family. They were the outward expression of the love that so many people have given the 10-year-old.

Kha'liel has sickle cell anemia. He returned home last week from Duke University Medical Center in Durham, N.C., after a bone marrow transplant from his 2-year-old brother Jalen. He had been at the center for about three months.

Since the Daily Press first reported Kha'liel's health problems and his family's financial struggles last month, the community rallied in support. He'll need more help in the future, a counselor at his school said.

Kha'liel's health challenges have been a substantial financial burden on his family. His transplant and care are covered by Medicaid, but his mother is unemployed, so money is tight. She said she had to take out a car-title loan just to visit him for the transplant. Throughout the months that followed, the family has had to rely on friends and family for daily expenses, including food and clothing.

Right after Thanksgiving, Riverside faculty members put on what they called "$5 Jean Fridays." For a small fee, they could break their normal dress code, with the proceeds going to Kha'liel. A local beauty shop in Newport News, Salon Elite, adopted the policy - and the staff donated all tips for a week. The president's office at Christopher Newport University donated a $525 check. A group of workers at the Northrop Grumman Newport News Shipyard raised money, too.

A fund established in his honor has received more than $4,000 to help renovate his family's home to help meet his special needs.

Times have been trying. Kha'liel's father, Lester Smith, had to stop working, so he could stay with him in Durham. Smith, 40, is hoping to return to the shipyard as a painter next year. Marie Boyd, a chaplain with Ferguson Enterprises who has worked with the family, helped to renovate the family's home in southeast Newport News.

Through the help of the Kha'liel Sickle Cell Fund, volunteers put down carpet, brought in new furniture and redecorated the room Kha'liel that shares with Jalen, giving it a Spider-Man theme.

Dozens of teachers stayed after school to wish Kha'liel an early "Merry Christmas." "You can hug him today," Boyd said. No one passed on the offer, and most wiped away tears.

After it ended, Kha'liel sat down on a bench, taking it all in.

Every year of life is a success for the 10-year-old. He has suffered three strokes and a grand mal seizure, paralysis, brain damage, asthma, anemia and damage to his spleen, lungs and kidneys. He said he hoped to be a police officer when he grew up.

" I just wanted to come home and see my sisters and my brother," Kha'liel said. His energy has increased some. He even showed signs of normalcy, getting rambunctious with his brother - drawing a scold from Dad.

"It's been a blessing to have him back," said his mother, Julia Crews. " I don't need nothing else in this world - just have him home for Christmas."

For now, he will receive a homebound instructor, but the family hopes that he can return to school next year.